Ban on coffee shop plastic cups leads to reduced paper cup use

SEOUL -- A ban on disposable plastic cups inside coffee shops led to the reduced use of paper cups and other plastic products as many customers have actively participated in a government campaign to reduce plastic pollution.

From August 1, some 20,000 coffee shops in Seoul were ordered to provide mug cups or renewable cups for customers drinking inside. The ministry did not ban the use of other disposable products such as paper cups, plastic straws and cup lids.

In a survey of 1,052 coffee shops, the Korea Zero Waste Movement Network (KZWMN), a Seoul-based civic group, found that 7.5 percent served hot drinks in paper cups inside shops. Data from a paper cup recycling company showed the number of used paper cups retrieved from coffee shops has decreased sharply.

KZWMN said that 13.1 percent still used plastic cups. Shop owners caught for violating rules should be slapped with a fine of up to two million won ($1,804), but they were not able to reject requests from customers who wish to use plastic cups inside stores.

The group said that the government's move has effectively reduced the use of other plastic products at coffee shops. "Clients and coffee shop owners are enthusiastically participating in the campaign to reduce the use of disposable products," a KZWMN official was quoted as saying.